Change Management Strategies and Knowledge Transfer Processes for a Successful SAP Project 2

By |May 24th, 2010|

People, organizational, and change management strategies on an ERP implementation are usually more difficult than the technology implementation. ERP implementation changes to the business allow employees from different departments to become more knowledgeable about business in general (Hall, 2002) (see also The Top 5 ERP Success Factors by Project Stage from 22 Critical Success Factors about interdepartmental cooperation and communication). While deeper knowledge is good, it also presents a set [...]

SAP and Waste Management Finally Settle

By |May 12th, 2010|

After a contentious battle that started brewing in March of 2008, SAP and Waste Management have reached a settlement agreement. While they have not disclosed the details, it appears that the whole issue was becoming so expensive to litigate that they found moving on more cost effective. According to a CIO article published on April 9, 2009, SAP had 25–30 contract attorneys working on the litigation, which cost them millions. SAP also claimed that their legal discovery process had cost over a mi [...]

SAP Implementation Focus: Engineer Software or Business Processes?

By |April 29th, 2010|

You have selected SAP as your software application-- now you move on to look for competitive bids from several software vendors to implement the system. You have a good understanding of the scope you want to address, but what do you look for and where do you begin? [FN1] Your Primary SAP Implementation Focus You can install SAP in your company through two primary ways: making your company fit the software, or making the software fit your existing processes. In other words, either you do a softw [...]

The Top 5 ERP Success Factors by Project Stage from 22 Critical Success Factors

By |April 26th, 2010|

  A while back, I was reviewing academic material on ERP/SAP Project success factors. One particular study stood out because it laid out 22 specific success factors by project stage [FN1]. Even though this study dates from 2001, the Critical Success Factors (or CSFs) still ring true today, and the conclusions are consistent with what I have seen on SAP projects since I started in 1994. While the sample size was somewhat limited (86 completed questionnaires), the data and information prov [...]

Breakthrough Project Success: 3 of 4, Vendor Selection and Contracts

By |January 18th, 2010|

7 steps to cut through the sales techniques used by vendors during the actual proposal and presentation process. Tactics, strategies, and techniques for getting past the sales pitches to the substance of the proposal and selecting the best possible IT system vendor for the best possible project results. These steps help to filter out the distracting information to focus on what really matters to your company.

Business Strategy and IT Strategy to Reproduce Apple Innovation

By |December 2nd, 2009|

What are the Apple Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs? Steve Jobs focused Apple innovation on competitive pressures and value propositions. He relentlessly focused organizational energy on customer-centered innovation and customer experience. In a nutshell, his innovation secret (if it can be called that) was the relentless pursuit of improving customer experience. As early as 2002, Steve Jobs told the world about his competitive strategy. During his statement, you can tell he was carefully evalu [...]